by V. Vaughn
Aleck’s finished his second burger, so I place my extra one on his plate as I ask, “When did you start composing?”
“You know how some people claim to have voices in their head?” He lifts my offering and smiles. “I have music. I was making up songs before I could walk.”
“That’s going to make some interviewer really happy.” I wave a sweet potato fry at him. “We’ll have to save that for someone big.”
“I’m not going on interviews. That’s more Adrian and Aaron’s thing.”
“Oh, you’ll be going on interviews.” Sweet and salty flavor coats my tongue when I bite into the potato. I talk over the food in my mouth. “You guys are a package deal.”
“Who would want me there? I’m not the sexy musician, just the songwriter.”
“Oh, you’re plenty sexy.” I pause, realizing what I said, before I plod on. “We need to talk about you being on stage. I know you play piano almost as well as Ginny, and you need to be out there as one more Lindquist man for the ladies to drool over.”
Aleck scowls at me. “There’s only one woman I want drooling over me.” I shrug, and he grabs my chin with his hand. “It’s you, Noel.”
I swallow hard as my desire for him flares. I open my mouth, but words don’t come out. It’s doesn’t matter, though, because Aleck leans in to kiss me, and whatever I was going to say is gone as his lips nibble at mine. I pull away and stare at him for a moment. I know it’s probably too soon for what I want to suggest, but I do anyway. “Come home with me.”
He lets out a low sound that’s almost a growl and says, “You better be sure. Because I think once I have you, I’ll never let go.”
My heart surges with emotions that overwhelm me. I flash to my relationship with Link. I never felt the way I do right now, and it’s probably why breaking up with him wasn’t that hard. But that also means when Aleck and I are over, I’m in for devastating heartbreak. I know I should slow things down or stop altogether, but what my brain is saying is barely audible over my body’s craving for as much Aleck as I can get. I say, “You won’t have to.”
I gather my garbage, and Aleck takes it from me to toss it in the bin provided. A seagull calls out overhead as we walk back to my car, and Aleck reaches for my hand. His fingers thread through mine, and the heat that he transmits travels all the way to my heart. Aleck won’t ever have to let go, and I hope I don’t have to either.
* * *
My apartment is nothing fancy. I live outside of LA on the ocean side, and while I still have to drive to get to the beach, the scents and sounds that come in my windows are coastal. As our feet thump on the wooden steps that are built on the side of my building, Aleck takes a deep breath. I say, “I love the salty air. I’m not sure I could live away from the ocean.”
Aleck says, “It’s home for me too.”
“Really?” My keys jingle as I search for the one that fits my door. “So you grew up near the ocean.”
“I did.”
“We’re narrowing things down.” I step into my small kitchen and turn to face him. “Which ocean?”
Aleck places his hands on my hips and leans down. “Is this really what you want to talk about right now?”
My body hums with desire, and I shake my head as his mouth descends on mine. Now that we’re in private I let my hands wander and make quick work of getting Aleck’s T-shirt on my floor. His body is as hard as I imagined, and I memorize every dip and plane I can reach before he begins his own explorations. When he fumbles with the buttons on my shirt, I step back and begin to do it myself. He groans as he watches, and I bite my lower lip as I take in the way his torso moves with his erratic breathing. I leave my shirt open to tease him as the zipper of my skirt hums when I lower it. The fabric is tight around my hips, and I have to wiggle to get out, so I bend forward to offer him a better view of my breasts as I do. Rayon rustles as it falls around my ankles, and I step out of my garment but leave on my shoes as I say, “Would you like a tour?”
I offer him my best sexy walk toward my bedroom. I know that my blouse doesn’t cover my bottom and that he’s getting quite a view considering I’m wearing a thong. From the groan he lets out, I think he likes what he sees. When I get to my bed I turn around, and Aleck steps close to pull my blouse open and slide it off my shoulders. His fingers skim the skin of my arms, and I tremble beneath his touch that sends shock waves of pleasure through me. “You’re so beautiful, Noel.”
I smile as I reach for his waistband, and he grabs my hands to stop me. “Turn around.”
I do as he asks and arch my back as he unhooks my bra. He reaches around to cup my breasts and tug me against his body. Soft kisses land on my shoulder, and he works his way up my neck with his mouth as he swirls his fingers around my nipples. I ache for his touch to be lower, and I press my butt against his groin and grip the rippling muscles of his thighs to pant out, “Aleck.”
He moves his hands lower and presses his palms against my lower abdomen as his kisses move down my spine. Aleck’s fingers hook into my thong as he gets on his knees. It’s strangely exciting to not see what he’s doing, and I squirm when he drags my thong down and nips at my butt. My legs are weak, and my comforter wads up in my hands as I clutch the end of the bed to steady myself. Aleck says, “Bend over.”
The duvet cover is cool on my overheated skin as I lay my chest on the bed to expose myself to him. My vulnerability only makes me hotter. When he slides a finger through my folds I gasp, and his breath is hot on my thighs as he leans in closer for a taste. I cry out as his rough tongue rasps against my silky layers. “Oh god.” I think fingers get involved, but I can’t be sure, because my orgasm is already racing to the surface. It doesn’t take long for me to quake with my release. Before I’m ready to lift up off the bed and turn around, a condom packet tears and then lands on the mattress where I can see. Aleck drags his cock against my sensitive sex, making me quiver in response to the new sensations he brings.
I push up, thinking he might want foreplay too, but Aleck says, “I can’t wait. I need to be inside you, Noel.”
I collapse again as I reply, “Yes.”
His fingers dig into my hips as he pulls me back and thrusts in with one forceful push. He stretches me wide, but it’s not painful even though he’s much larger than I’m used to. It’s as if we fit, and I revel in the tight friction as he pumps in and out. The fact that I can’t see Aleck’s face is incredibly erotic. I’m focused on our primal needs, and another orgasm begins to build as he moves faster. His release is quick, and a low rumble from Aleck reverberates through me as I shatter too. He collapses over me before we manage to crawl up onto the mattress to lie in a tangled heap. I’m still face down with the weight of Aleck on me, as if he’s a blanket that protects me from the world. I wonder how it is that the fact that I never saw Aleck’s expression didn’t seem impersonal, because I feel as if I’ve never been closer to a man in my life.
Aleck rolls off of me and leans in to kiss my lips. “I hope you’re happy, because I meant it. You’re all I’ll ever want.”
I sigh. “Deliriously happy.” An aftershock makes me shiver. I just had the best sex of my life, with a man that will be famous in a matter of months. Why wouldn’t I be? I gaze at Aleck to say, “You’re going to get so much more than me. Do you realize that a year from now you’ll be filthy rich? What are you going to do with all your money?”
“Stick it in the bank. I don’t want for much.”
I sigh and roll on my back to stare at the cracks in my ceiling. “If it were me, I think the first thing I’d buy is a new car.” I turn to him to see his amused smile. “One that you can fit in.”
He tugs a piece of hair out of my mouth. “That would be nice.”
“And then maybe a house on the ocean.” I throw my arms above my head and splay them out as I say, “With a wrap-around porch facing the ocean and a soft white sand beach just steps away.” Aleck chuckles, and I ask, “Don’t you want anything?”
“I�
�ve never given it much thought. My needs are simple, and I can’t imagine owning fancy things.”
I lean up on my elbow. “Well, just you wait.” Aleck drags a finger down my chest and rubs his thumb over my nipple, making me tremble as I say, “I’ve got you booked to play in New York, and when we get there I’ll show you how to spend money.”
He pushes me onto my back and climbs over me to press his hard erection against my belly. I reach around him to grip his firm butt, and he asks, “Is that really what you want to talk about right now?”
I grin at him as I shake my head, and he crushes me with a kiss that changes the subject.
8
One of my favorite things to do with our new bands is the image makeover. While not all musicians are thrilled about their style being judged, most like the end result. With Second Sound I didn’t have much to change. The guys would look hot in brown paper bags, and the girls have a good handle on their personal style. So my day should be easy. It’s not.
I worked with Ginny and Nessa yesterday, and we had a blast because they love clothes as much as I do. But the guys are not nearly as agreeable as I thought they’d be. Adrian wants to look like an ’80s rock star, and Aaron wants to be punk. I glance over at the couch of the menswear section of a swanky boutique to see Aleck and Andre scowling with their arms crossed while Aaron tries on one more pair of jeans and talks to the mirror as he videos. While I’m sure it will make for great viewing on their YouTube channel, we’re not getting anywhere, and I need reinforcements.
I text Nessa and Ginny, and they agree to meet us for lunch. I think they’ll be on my side. I need their help to sway their boyfriends and make it easier to convince Aleck and Aaron I know what I’m doing. After sandwiches, I discover I’m right. Adrian was easy because once Nessa, the co-lead singer, explained he wasn’t allowed to wear tighter pants than she does, he let go of the leather idea. And Ginny convinced Aaron that when he got too hot, throwing a shirt in the audience would get him more girls than if he didn’t start off with one.
I chew on my lip as I stand next to the couch and watch Aleck come out of the dressing room. He has on a plain T-shirt that is cut to be tighter around the body instead of a boxy XXL version he usually wears to accommodate his broad shoulders. Ginny wolf whistles, and he blushes as he says, “Do I even want to know how much this costs?”
Ginny, Nessa, and I all say, “No!”
I walk over and pinch the extra fabric to pull it tighter. I glance at the girls. “Yes?”
They nod, and the tailor comes over to pin it. Aleck scowls as the man touches him, and I say to the sales girl, “We’ll take twelve in dark colors.”
When Aleck leaves to get changed, I sigh. “I think we’re done.”
“Good,” says Aaron. A steady beat thumps as he drums his hands on the edge of the chair. “I’m starving. Let’s get out of here.”
I already have my phone in my hand, and my fingers tap lightly as I call two cars to accommodate us, because I need to go back to the office before I finish my day. Aleck and I have spent every night together since our first date, and the rest of the band must miss him, because they invited me over to the suite later for pizza and cards. It’s amazing how quickly we’re getting serious, but I’m not worried, because everything about Aleck and me feels right.
I walk over to Aleck as he comes out of the dressing room and say, “It wasn’t that bad, was it?”
“I think it’s ridiculous that I’m wearing overpriced T-shirts tailored to fit.”
I want to slip my arm around his waist as we walk out of the boutique, but I have a strict rule about mixing business with pleasure, and don’t. “I know. But being on stage means playing the part.”
Aleck sighs. “This is why I like to stay behind the scenes. I don’t want to play the part.”
“We’re not going to have this discussion again.” I mentioned to the band that I thought it was important Aleck play with them on tour, and they agreed. “Everyone thinks you need to be on stage, so it’s settled.”
He gives me the once-over with his eyes and asks, “Your clothes you wear every day, are they expensive too?”
I nod. “I play a part too.”
“You must make a lot of money.”
I chuckle. “I do okay, and I have credit cards. Second Sound is going to help me do more than okay very soon.”
“Credit cards.” He frowns. “I couldn’t live in debt like that.” He must realize how that sounded, because he quickly adds, “Not that I think you don’t pay yours off or anything.”
I smile. “It’s okay.” The truth is I do have a large balance I carry. I don’t let my salary stop me from wearing a fancy wardrobe. I justify it because it’s necessary for my job. Besides, if I were really out of control with my spending I’d have an expensive convertible too. The cars arrive, and I watch Aleck climb into the stretch SUV with his brothers. Shame makes my stomach queasy as I think about how I’m involved with a man that wouldn’t approve of my spending habits if he knew about them. But I shake off the thought, because I bet once he has money his tune will change.
Once I get back to work, I’m at my desk drafting an interview schedule for Second Sound when something crashes across the hall in Link’s office. Sheila’s girl band has an unexpected break in their tour, and Link’s executive assistant told me he’s been irritable ever since he got back this morning. I guess it’s not getting any better and ignore Link until my phone buzzes with a text from him. “My office. Now.”
My chair rattles as I stand quickly to go to him. I think I’m about to share his pain. I enter his space and just about faint when I notice him rake his hand through his hair as he comes to me with a tabloid in his hand. “Did you see this?”
I used to peruse the rags every morning, scouring for details on our bands to get a jump on the PR, but today I stayed in bed later than usual with Aleck and forgot about it. The newspaper flutters when I take it and stare at the picture. It’s of Link and Sheila and appears to be backstage at a concert. I skim the article that claims Link is a controlling psycho and even dances with the idea that he’s abusive. My stomach sinks, because this is bad. Link’s reputation is based on him being a stand-up guy, and accusations of taking advantage of his clients could be devastating for both of us.
I say, “Oh, Link.” I gaze at him. “Tell me everything, and I’ll figure out a way to fix this.”
He sighs. “Noel. I--”
“We have a crisis, and I don’t have time to play games. Don’t act like I’m an idiot. I know you were involved with Sheila before we broke up. That’s doesn’t matter right now. My job is dependent upon you having yours, so spit it out.”
He lowers his head into his hands with a groan. “I wasn’t lying when I said Sheila was having trouble with drugs. She was high on something, and nobody could find her. I caught her with a guy, and she was--”
“In a compromising position?”
“Yeah. I lost my cool, and we got into a screaming match about it.” He glances up at me. “You’re allowed to tell me payback’s a bitch.”
I shake my head. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“I know.” He gets up from his chair and walks around the desk to me. “Part of why I was attracted to you is that you’re a good person. The kind of person I used to take pride in being. I thought maybe you could help me get back there.” He shakes his head, and his voice is quiet as he says, “I’m sorry.”
I believe he is, and my heart aches a little for him. But I don’t have time for sympathy. I switch into fixer mode, and my feet thump as I begin to pace. “Okay, we need to get Sheila in rehab right away. I’ll book Sweet Haven, and you call her bodyguard and make sure he gets her there.”
“Got it.”
“And then we need to get you to a social event where the paparazzi can”—I hold up my fingers to do air quotes—“force you into an interview.” I light up because I’m brilliant. “You talk about Sheila’s struggles with addiction and let them know you�
�re making sure she gets the best care.”
“Good. That’s really good.” Link gets up and comes to me. He takes my arms and says, “One more thing would make it ironclad.”
I wince because I think I know what he’s about to say. If we look as if we’re still together, it would make the tabloid picture look like he was dealing with an unstable star instead of a lover’s spat. I say, “Link...”
“I know. I shouldn’t even ask, but you did mention how your reputation depends on mine.”
He’s right. And even though the last thing I want to do is act as if I’m still with Link, I know I have to. I sigh. “Fine. I’ll be your date, and we can pretend we’ve been together this whole time.”
“I’ll manage to slip in the interview that the pictures of me and Sheila were her coming on to me, and that I love you too much to ever hurt you that way.”
I turn away, because bile rises in my throat as it hits me the way he used to touch me in public probably had everything to do with how he wanted to appear at that given moment. A piece of me knew it, and it makes me sick that I pretended it didn’t matter. And now I’m going to let him do it again. Stop it, Noel. This is different, because you don’t care if he wants you any longer. I blink back my anger and put on a brave face, because sometimes you have to do things you’d rather not. Like wear a polyester waitress uniform so you can get the hell out of small-town America. I say, “Yes. That’s a good plan.”
Link says, “I have a charity event tonight that is the perfect place. The car will come for you at seven.” Link leans in, and I stiffen when he twirls a strand of my dark hair around his finger. “Noel?” I pull back out of reach as he says, “You look stunning in green. Your outfit will be here by five.”
I offer him a fake smile. When Link first started to take me places as his date, he’d buy me a one-of-a-kind designer dress for events. I used to think he was doing it to be nice to me, because he knew how much I loved it. Now I realize he needed me to be more than the kind of girl Link Murphy should date. He dressed me up to impress people. And I was the most impressed. I think about how Aleck doesn’t care about clothes and hates that he’s going to wear overpriced shirts on tour. I say, “Thanks. Now I’ve got work to do.”
